Under the Solano Sun

This is the follow-up to the cliff hanger of my previous blog! You may recall I wrote about Solano County's own Gold Rush. Now we'll see how the famous and sought-after Early Fruit of our county made it across the countryand what has happened to this thriving orchard industry today.

I love growing amaryllis bulbs (Hippeastrum genus) for a splash of indoor color to brighten a grey winter day or to give as a holiday gift.

Narcissus are problematic in my Suisun City garden. Some naturalize well but others fizzle after a first season of bloom, producing only leaves until I find the time and energy to dig them out.

Since I pick up plants from here and there I am always being surprised. I found this particular plant in its small form, an Echium fastuosum, It is a very popular part of the city landscape in Benicia. Very easy to see in its blooming stages by the side of the road.

There is nothing like a blank canvas to tease the mind of an artist, and there is nothing like a neglected backyard of a newly acquired home to tease the mind of a master gardener. That is where the impetus for this blog started.